Gavilan College presents 2004 Community Spirit Awards for San Benito County

WHO: Marley Holte, the U.P.S. store, and the Adult Literacy Program of San Benito County

WHAT: Will be honored with Community Spirit Awards from the Gavilan College Board of Trustees. These awards are presented annually in each of the three communities served by Gavilan College, and are intended to recognize and celebrate the people and organizations who go "above and beyond" to make their communities better places. Each set of awards includes an individual, a business, and a nonprofit organization. The awards will be presented during the Gavilan College Holiday Mixer, an annual event that is free and open to the community. Light refreshments will be served.

WHEN: Thursday, December 2, 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

WHERE: Gavilan College in Hollister, at the Briggs Building, corner of Fourth and San Benito Streets.

WHY: A representative committee of college staff solicits nominations from the community, and then weighs such factors as length of service, significance of the contribution relative to size of business or organization, impact on the community, and other factors. This year's awards are presented to:

Individual: Marley Holte: Marley Holte has been very active as a volunteer and advocate for the homeless. Ha has been spearheading efforts to get a cold weather shelter for the homeless in San Benito County, through his organization Marley Holte's Community Assistance Program; he has been organizing annual free Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the community for many years. In addition, he has been involved with LULAC, the San Benito county hispanic chamber of Commerce, the Juvenile Justice Commission, Boy Scouts of America, San Juan Bautista Rotary, and numerous other organizations and events.

Business: The U.P.S. Store: this small business has Only been open for a year and a half, yet they have gone beyond their primary mission to help the community in a number of ways. Since opening they have provided financial or in-kind assistance to numerous local organizations. From small copy jobs to a donated microwave oven for the local boxing club, to free mailboxes, the UPS Store has been willin g to contribute to fundraisers and drives. They also started two continuing projects: the first is the donation of $175 of free business services for anyone joining the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, the second is the collection of used fax or inkjet printer cartridges and old cell phones to recycle and donate the proceeds to the Relay for Life on an on-going basis. Their latest donation was all of the flyers, tickets and placemats for the Hollister American Legion upcoming Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day event. For more information about The UPS Store, please call Gary mangus at (831) 636-5952.

Organization: The Adult Literacy Program of San Benito County: The Adult Literacy Program of San Benito County provides adult residents with one-on-one literacy tutoring at no cost. Learners are matched with volunteer tutors and meet weekly. One unique feature of the program is learners establish goals based on their individual needs. The Adult Literacy Program of San Benito County began in 2000 through grant funding from the California State Library. Since its inception more than 150 county residents have worked with over 200 volunteers to improve their literacy skills! Information about the Adult Literacy Program is available at: http://www.san-juan-bautista.ca.us/city/literacy.htm.